Alums Discuss Women's Center

Radcliffe alumnae told students at a forum in the Lyman Common Room last night they strongly support plans for a women's center at Harvard.

Members of the Radcliffe College Alumni Association (RCAA) and undergraduates from the Women's Center Resource Group, among others, met to "open up the lines of communication," said Joan Soble '77, co-chair of RCAA's undergraduate relations committee.

The group, numbering more than 30, discussed the differences between the Lyman Common Room, called a "center for women," and a "women's center."

The Radcliffe undergraduate relations committee, which includes both students and alumnae, plans to present ideas on the women's center at Harvard-Radcliffe alumni meetin in February. That meeting will focus on women at Harvard. Soble said.

Calling the Lyman space "a necessary facility," Serena Volpp '92, undergraduate relations committee co-chair, said it does not replace the need for a more comprehensive women's center.

Volpp and other students distributed a printed proposal at the forum, emphasizing the need for a "large, multi-room facility." Such a center would service undergraduates and graduate students, faculty, alumni, and the Cambridge community, the pamphlet said.

Echoing Volpp's comments, Soble said the Lyman space should be considered "a meeting place." while a women's center would be "a working space."

Forum participants agreed that a women's center would not be separatist, but educational for everyone. Betsy Chamberlain '49 said the facility should be "a place with programs attractive to the whole university."

Although no one at last night's session expressed reservations about a women's center, Soble said that one alumna had concerns that "separate things for women would be a step backwards, a setback to a time when women had less rather than more."

Soble said the alumna thought Harvard men might be upset because there is no "men's center." But several forum participants responded that "the whole world is a men's center."

Carlin Chi '91 said she hoped the center would be a place to foster "nurturing" relationships with alumnae. Similarly, Soble said these relationships, in conjunction with programs and informal meetings, would be important contacts for undergraduates.

Aside from alumnae and administration support, Volpp said the women's center will need a full-time staff member if it is to survive. "You really need someone heading the center who would theoretically be a Harvard staff member. Otherwise it will fall apart," Volpp said.